Should the needle exchange programme be implemented in the Seychelles

An island treasure in the ocean has not been able to escape the
rampant drug trade haunting the world today. Many families suffer
daily as one of their members is addicted to drugs. The problem
does not end there. With heroin administered with syringes, even
more problems have emerged. This has included the potential of
propagation of HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C. The Ministry of Health
is contemplating whether the needle exchange programme should be
implemented in the Seychelles.

My blog today will be dedicated to the upcoming Hepatitis C day
on the 24th July 2014 and assess the debate on the needle
exchange programme.

“It is like giving prostitutes condoms,” said one youth, “if
we cannot stop them then at least they are safe.”

Many people have expressed their support for the needle exchange
programme. The reasons for their support has included that access
to sterile needle and syringe is one way of preventing the spread
of HIV and Hepatitis C. Together with outreach and education
programmes, antiretroviral therapy and treatment of sexually
transmitted infections there can be a dedicated campaign to help
combat HIV/AIDS and hepatitis. Moreover if contraction of the
diseases is prevented then the Ministry would save money on what
would have been spent on antiretroviral therapy for people who
have contracted HIV. Further there has not been any evidence of
unintended consequences such as an increase in the number of
discarded needles in the community and an increase in frequency
of injection.

A quote from the England and Wales Institute for Health and
Clinical Excellence suggests there is a greater advantage to the
society to introduce this programme: “While needle and syringe
programmes can help reduce the harm caused to people who inject
drugs, the consequent reduction in the prevalence of blood-borne
virus benefits wider society.”

“Stop the big fish then the Ministry of Health does not have
to spend millions of rupees on what it does haven’t to spend its
money on,” said another youth.

Some people have advocated against the needle exchange programme.
It is often seen as an encouragement of self-harm or a crime.
People are accountable for their actions and if they choose to
engage in drug abuse then why must the Ministry of Health use tax
payers’ money to accommodate their bad habits. Children and young
people must get an unambiguous message that there are the correct
choices in life and the wrong choices in life, and everyone must
be responsible and not engage in drug abuse. It has been argued
that the needle exchange programme takes away from the bigger
picture as teaching drug users to inject in a safer manner they
continue to support the rampant drug trade taking place and
violence and theft all related to fuel their habit.

Here we have both sides of the story. Only 82 countries have
adopted the needle exchange programme and the question is should
we? What is the position in your country and how it is working?